Introduction
There are two diverse types of ministries present onthe earth today: the ministry of angels and the ministry of believers.
The subject of angels is one about which little is said. The Bible, however, is not silent concerning them. The Psalms tell us of their ministry of protection of God’s children: “The angel of the Lord encampethround about them that fear him, and delivereth them”(Psalm 34:7). “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot againsta stone” (Psalm 91:11, 12).
As a child of God, you can expect His angels to minister to you. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2).
When Lucifer fell from heaven he took one-third of the angels with him, and they became the foul demons of hell. The remaining two-thirds of heaven’s angels are still actively working for God, frequently manifesting their ministry to people today. They do the Lord’s work on earth when man’s ability is limited.
Often man’s ability is limited by his own ignorance. This is where the ministry of believers comes in. First, youmust learn what your rights to minister are, and then you must put them into practice.
It is the believer’s responsibility to know what the Word of God says about his rights; it is his privilege to exercise those rights, to use the promises in God’s Word as his strength for any situation. The tools of a Christian are prayer and praise, used in faith and with boldness.
Discover what your rights are in Jesus and live a successful, powerful, victorious life.
The ministry of angels has never been given a very large place in Christianity since the time of the Reformation. However, the Bible contains many references to angelic ministries. The Old Testament gives many examples of angelic visits as well as teaching and promise regarding this subject. Angels ministered where man’s strength and ability were limited.
In the Gospels there are numerous references to angels. Angels visited Mary and Joseph. Angels announced theMessiah’s birth, and at His resurrection they rolled away the stone. They ministered to Jesus in the wilderness. They stood beside the disciples following the Lord’s ascension and told them He was coming back in like manner as they had seen Him go away.
In the Book of Acts we read how an angel opened the prison and delivered the apostles, telling them, “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:20). It was an angel who supernaturally transported Philip from Samaria to Gaza (Acts 8). It was an angel who opened the prison and set Peter free (Acts 12). Throughoutthe Book of Acts the ministry of angels is evident.
The Book of Acts represents the first 33 years of the Church’s ministry, and is the guideline for 20th century Christians. What took place then we have a right to expect today.
In the Book of Acts we see the mighty works of the Spirit through the ministry of the apostles. The instrument theyused was the Word of God. The power behind the Word which produced miracles was the name of Jesus. The ability came through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 1:14 informs us that angels are ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation. The conversion of Ed Nelson is a remarkable example of the intervention of angels to reach onewhowas seemingly destined for a Christless grave.
The Ministry of Angels
Ed had always been a hard drinker. One night he was kicked outof a saloon in South Boston after the disgusted bartender told him to go drown himself. Discouraged and broken, Ed walked down to the wharf and leaped into the water.
When he came to the surface he felt a strong hand grip him by the shoulders and lift him bodily out of the water. Not a word was spoken. The stranger pushed him toward the land, but Ed struggled free and jumped into the water again.
Once again these same strong hands grasped him, lifted him out of the water, and this time ledhimto shore.
Ed knew he had been rescued by an angel. Even in his despondent drunken state he knew that a mighty, unseen force was at work in his life. Bewildered by his miraculous rescue, he returned to the saloon. But not to drink. He onlystood by the stove until his clothes were dry and pondered hislife.
The next night Ed went to a local mission and gave his heart to Christ.
Ed Nelson’s testimony is a remarkable story of the ministry of angels today. This man was later greatly used of God in singing gospel songs and vividly sharing the amazing story of his rescue by an angel.
One of the greatest ministries to be raised up by God in this century was that of William W. Freeman—a ministry born entirely of the supernatural power of God. An ordinary pastor, William Freeman would probably never have beenknown outside his owncircle had it not been for the angelic visitation which changed his life—and ultimately mine.
William Freeman tells of it in this way:
“In the light, an angel suddenly appeared. He was large and wore a white robe. His appearance was strong and his vision penetrating. He touched my body and then told me that God had sent him to give me a gift of healing. I was to go to His people and warn them, tell them that Jesus was coming very soon and that they were sleeping and slumbering. They
The Ministry of Angels and Believers
must be awakened, for great darkness was already upon theland. I was told that I should be diligent and faithful and make haste. He then told me the way I would know when people were being healed.”
In almost every prayer of deliverance for the afflicted, Freeman would remind the Lord “what the angel said and told me.”
God also gave him visions of vast auditoriums in many parts of the world that would be filled. Later when we walked into an empty auditorium prior to a meeting he would say, “Yes, this will be filled. God showed me it would be filled.”
In 1nine4nine God spoke to William Freeman concerning me: “Invite Don Gossett to travel with you in your ministry, for he will do you good.” So it was that for seven years of my young life I traveled with this man who had been visited by angels. Together we saw thousands saved and healed through this miraculous ministry.
